Robert Williams

Robert Williams says the hardest part of coaching youth basketball teams is keeping up the players' concentration. "You can get it, but you can't keep it for very long," he says. "They'll start off doing what you want, but gradually it will fade away and they'll start doing what they want to do." Williams coaches the Rebels, a girls and boys team for ages 10-12, and the Bulls, a 13-14 boys team, in the Isle of Wight County Recreation youth program. A native of Smithfield, he has been coaching for three years.

Robert Burke Williams, 82, passed on March 27, 2009, at Hampton Veterans Administration Hospital. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, and is survived by three children, Carol Agness of Florida, Barbara Boyer, R. Paul Williams both of Virginia. The family will hold private services at a later date. In lieu of flowers family would like contributions made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. Cremation Society of Virginia is assisting the family.

WILLIAMS - WADE LaTaunya Renee Wade and Doug Williams were married May 16 at Greater Philadelphia Baptist Church in Slaughter, La., by the Rev. Odell Tickles. The bride is the daughter of Pamela Wade-Locke of Virginia Beach and Dr. Alphonso Wade of Washington, D.C. She graduated from King High School in Tampa, Fla., and Hampton University. She is a mental health counselor at Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, Ga. The bridegroom is the son of Laura Williams of Zachary, La., and the late Robert Williams.

Clara Mae (Pee Wee) Williams Tyler, 61, died Feb. 10, 2006 in Obici Hospital. She was the daughter of Clara Ford Williams and the late Robert Williams. Clara was preceded in death by her husband, Jack R. Tyler. Along with her mother, she is survived by two children, Jacquline Judkins (Eric) and Warren O. Tyler Sr; seven grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild; four brothers and four sisters; and a host of other relatives. A service of memory will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006 at Shivers Funeral Chapel, Smithfield, by the Rev. Carter Tyler.

Wendy Williams Goodwin, 43, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2008. She was a native of Hampton and had been a resident of West Point for the past year. She was preceded in rest by her husband, Darrell R. Goodwin. Surviving members of her family include her daughter, Kristen Goodwin; parents, Robert and Bernice Williams; siblings, Kenneth Williams, Bobbie Benson and husband, David, Susan Williams, Robert Williams and wife, Samantha; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.

A man walked into a Burger King Monday evening, struck up a conversation with the clerk about getting a job there, then handed the clerk a note saying he wanted cash and was carrying a bomb and a handgun, Hampton police Lt. Robert Williams said. Neither weapon was displayed, but the clerk gave the man an undisclosed amount, Williams said. The robbery occurred at 8:20 p.m. at 200 W. Mercury Blvd., Williams said. The robber looked to be about 30 and was slim, black and about 5 feet 10 inches tall, WIlliams said.

Robert William Johnson, 81, of Williamsburg, died Aug. 20, 2008, at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. He was born and raised in Seattle, Wash., in 1926 and graduated with honors from Lincoln High School in Seattle. He received a B.S. degree from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1949, where he was also editor of the university's student newspaper. He continued at Carnegie, earning a graduate degree in Industrial Administration in 1951. His college years were interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

Wendy Williams Goodwin, 43, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2008. She was a native of Hampton and had been a resident of West Point for the past year. She was preceded in rest by her husband, Darrell R. Goodwin. Surviving members of her family include her daughter, Kristen Goodwin; parents, Robert and Bernice Williams; siblings, Kenneth Williams, Bobbie Benson and husband, David, Susan Williams, Robert Williams and wife, Samantha; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.

Ronald R. Brooks, 48, was called home to rest on Friday, April 4, 2008 in Hampton. A native of Goldsboro, N.C., he lived in Hampton for 48 years and was employed as a pipe fitter with Northrop Grumman, Newport News, for 30 years. He was preceded in death by his brother, Daryl Brooks; maternal grandfather, James Richardson and paternal grandmother, Willie Mae Washington. Ronald leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Gloria Brooks of Hampton; sons, Derick (Regina) and Da'Rel Brooks of Hampton; daughters, T'Annette (Keith)

Floyd 'Donald' Brown, a former Williamsburg resident, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, March 2, 2008, in his home. He was born Dec. 13, 1959, the son of the late Winnie Brown Jones. He was a former member of Mt. Ararat Baptist Church. He attended the Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools. He was also recently preceded in death by his sister, Brenda Prince. He leaves to treasure his memories, his sisters, Pamela Smith (Alvin), Felecia Williams (Bryant), Clarissa Jones (Tony)

Penny Williams, 47, died on Sunday, June 3, 2001, at Riverside Regional Medical Center. A lifelong resident of Newport News, she was preceded in death by her father and mother, Oliver and Esther Williams. She was a giving person who was loved dearly by her family and friends. She leaves to cherish her memory two sisters, Olivia Bowman and Jane Whiting; two sons, Robert Williams and Michael Williams (Willette); two daughters, Marcella Williams and Glenda Brown (Larry); a special niece, Denise Parker; 18 grandchildren; two other nieces and four nephews; a host of relatives and friends.